At $171.524 million, third quarter 2005 shipments of industrial laser equipment and systems for North America and U.S. exports are up 10 percent from shipments of the same quarter in 2004, according to the Laser Systems Product Group (LSPG) of AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology. Industrial laser equipment and systems shipments within North America by the 37 companies reporting to the third quarter 2005 LSPG statistical program totaled approximately $122.3 million, while exports amounted to $49.2 million.

The report from the LSPG shows that shipments of CO₂ laser systems increased 35 percent, while Nd:YAG lasers decreased 17 percent, compared with third quarter 2004. The report also shows cutting applications as the largest source of industrial laser activity in third quarter 2005, accounting for nearly 60 percent of all third quarter 2005 shipments. In addition, roughly 50 percent of industrial lasers shipped for third quarter 2005 were of the CO₂ variety and over 80 percent of total shipments were configured as a laser system (laser source + workstation).

Third quarter 2005 dollar figures are based on data supplied by 37 contributors to the third quarter LSPG statistical survey. The year-on-year percent change in CO₂ and Nd:YAG lasers reflects the contributions of only those companies that participated in the statistical program in both the third quarters of 2004 and 2005. The report does not include increased shipments reflecting the addition of new program participants in third quarter 2005.

"Although shipments are increasing ten percent, prospects of the future are still bright," stated David Plourde, LSPG Chairman and Vice President - Sales, Preco Laser Systems. "Orders for two of our top four customers (consumer electronics and aerospace) are up 25 percent and 60 percent, suggesting the need to expand production and increase capital investment in 2006."

The Laser Systems Product Group comprises AMT member companies that produce laser systems and industrial laser sources. The LSPG operates as a forum for the industrial laser systems supplier community, acting cooperatively to increase the rate of growth of industrial laser products and systems in North America. While LSPG members must be members of AMT, any North American company building or supplying industrial laser equipment may participate in the LSPG statistical program. Companies that meet the eligibility requirements and would like to participate in the LSPG statistical program should contact Alicia Alfiere, International Economist, at 703-827-5259 or aalfiere@AMTonline.org.

Questions about the industrial laser market in North America, or the LSPG statistical program, can also be directed to Alicia Alfiere. For more information about the LSPG and its efforts to promote the industrial laser industry in North America, please call Mario Winterstein, Director-Business Development, at 703-827-5228 or mwinterstein@AMTonline.org.

Third Quarter 2005 Industrial Laser Shipments

Type of Laser	Value in Thousands of Dollars		Type of Configuration	Value in Thousands of Dollars
CO2	$110,346		Laser Source Only	ND
Nd:YAG	ND		Laser System	$145,590
Direct Diode	ND		Workstation Only	ND
Excimer	$0
Other	ND
Total Industrial Laser Shipments	$171,524		Total Industrial Laser Shipments	$171,524

ND-Not Disclosed